Comments on: 2017 Ford Fiesta ST - In-Depth Review

Yep I am that guy... I bought a 2017 Civic si coupe and I would not even consider this car. Funny enough I am not a fan of Ford's cheap looking interiors nor their exterior styling (with the Mustang being the exception).

What turned me off of the ST is terrible pedal placement for impossible leave heel toe, the ugliest plastic interior I've seen on a car. Just horrible design. The problem with the Civic is the exterior. The SI looks fine but the Type R is too much cheap looking faux vents. Curious how the be SI vs the ST compares for fun to drive. Have not been inside the new SI. The lift off over steer makes the ST appear in the surface to be more fun than the SI. Appearances can be deceiving

What turned me off of the ST is terrible pedal placement for impossible leave heel toe, the ugliest plastic interior I've seen on a car. Just horrible design. The problem with the Civic is the exterior. The SI looks fine but the Type R is too much cheap looking faux vents. Curious how the be SI vs the ST compares for fun to drive. Have not been inside the new SI. The lift off over steer makes the ST appear in the surface to be more fun than the SI. Appearances can be deceiving

Yeah the interior on the SI well honestly I was extremely impressed by the quality (pictures do not do it justice) of the interior for the price range and it is very well equipped for the $24k asking price including heated seats/mirrors, premium sound system, 7" Android Auto/Apple Play compatible touch screen etc... I know the looks are subjective, but I did get a black coupe and it tones the cars wild looks down a lot and It is a riot to drive and handles great in sport mode...

Yep I am that guy... I bought a 2017 Civic si coupe and I would not even consider this car. Funny enough I am not a fan of Ford's cheap looking interiors nor their exterior styling (with the Mustang being the exception).

I'm not a fan of horrid and excessive rev hang when shifting a car fast, so I wouldn't consider a Civic SI.

It's well documented that C/D doesn't include discounts since they vary so widely. Fact is, a fully-optioned GTI Autobahn with DSG and Driver Assistance package has an MSRP (including destination) of $37,110, hence the "a fully loaded Volkswagen Golf GTI will approach $38,000" line. Few may buy one so equipped, but it is available.

I used to own a 2008 Civic SI and currently own a 2016 Fiesta ST. From a stand still the two cars are almost identical to any speed. But the Fiesta would leave the 2008 SI easily out of 2nd gear corners and just about anywhere else. Torque and the ability to not have to have the engine revving at 7000rpms to have enough speed to pass a moped is hard to comprehend from looking at acceleration specs. Well, actually, compare the top gear 50-70 times. The ST is four seconds faster in that category.

My understanding is that the European and other markets will continue to get an improved version. They already have more models of Fiesta, two and four door, and much nicer trims. Ford and GM both do a good job of providing Europe, Australia, and other areas very nice vehicles, including trucks resembling the old el Camino trucks that they used to offer the U.S. market. Of course, other companies also provide those markets with different models with different technology; e.g., Prius V.

Ford and GM and other companies do offer more small cars in Europe than in the US. OTOH, F-150s, as well as GM's and FCA's 1500s, are few and far between. Not to mention bigger trucks.

Something to do with the price of gas and old city street sizes, I imagine...

The question as posed above is if the Fiesta is being discontinued in the USA. It's clear it will continue in other markets. What's not clear is if we (again, here in the USA) will be receiving the 2018 FiSt with the 3-cylinder turbo.

Ford and GM and other companies do offer more small cars in Europe than in the US. OTOH, F-150s, as well as GM's and FCA's 1500s, are few and far between. Not to mention bigger trucks.

Something to do with the price of gas and old city street sizes, I imagine...

I don't know. I see a fair amount of F150s in Australia, Wranglers, etc. Gasoline is more expensive but many there don't need cars for work commutes as they have good public transport and use their cars on the weekends (especially true I found in Britain). I just notice the variety and tech upgrades they get. Toyota supplies the world with lithium batteries in its Prius V, but that model here is still saddled with last-century nickel-metal hydrides. Fewer options here too. More engine options I found in Germany. Of course, in a few cases we have the benefit---I read the Camaro is only available in automatic in Europe, whereas here you can get stick shift.

I don't know. I see a fair amount of F150s in Australia, Wranglers, etc. Gasoline is more expensive but many there don't need cars for work commutes as they have good public transport and use their cars on the weekends (especially true I found in Britain). I just notice the variety and tech upgrades they get. Toyota supplies the world with lithium batteries in its Prius V, but that model here is still saddled with last-century nickel-metal hydrides. Fewer options here too. More engine options I found in Germany. Of course, in a few cases we have the benefit---I read the Camaro is only available in automatic in Europe, whereas here you can get stick shift.

Ford and GM and other companies do offer more small cars in Europe than in the US. OTOH, F-150s, as well as GM's and FCA's 1500s, are few and far between. Not to mention bigger trucks.

Something to do with the price of gas and old city street sizes, I imagine...

I don't know. I see a fair amount of F150s in Australia, Wranglers, etc. Gasoline is more expensive but many there don't need cars for work commutes as they have good public transport and use their cars on the weekends (especially true I found in Britain). I just notice the variety and tech upgrades they get. Toyota supplies the world with lithium batteries in its Prius V, but that model here is still saddled with last-century nickel-metal hydrides. Fewer options here too. More engine options I found in Germany. Of course, in a few cases we have the benefit---I read the Camaro is only available in automatic in Europe, whereas here you can get stick shift.

And I still don't understand how an identically-heavy 10-year-old Civic Si is quicker than this thing.

I agree. Everyone says "it's the gearing" but that sounds like a bad excuse. A little featherweight like this with nearly 200hp always shows 6.8-7.0 numbers. You would think low 6s considering power to weight ratio. I've driven the FiST and it feels quick but never fast.

You clearly haven't driven the car if you think the rear beam axle is a problem. And to address your other posts - Almost every car in this segment has been trashed by consumer reports. The GTI has always had horrible reliability issues and is incredibly expensive to fix out of warranty. You can get a Fiesta ST for $20k out the door. VW isn't the only company to run incentives. It doesn't matter though anyway, none of the cars in this comparison compete with the Fiesta ST. It should have put it up against the Fiat 500 Abarth and the Mini Cooper S.

You clearly haven't driven the car if you think the rear beam axle is a problem. And to address your other posts - Almost every car in this segment has been trashed by consumer reports. The GTI has always had horrible reliability issues and is incredibly expensive to fix out of warranty. You can get a Fiesta ST for $20k out the door. VW isn't the only company to run incentives. It doesn't matter though anyway, none of the cars in this comparison compete with the Fiesta ST. It should have put it up against the Fiat 500 Abarth and the Mini Cooper S.

My new 2012 GTI DSG had zero problems in three years and 40K miles, had a quality and ergonomic interior, got better-than-advertised fuel economy, and felt solid.

How many people can say that about the Focus or Fiesta? The Getrag dual-clutch in both is currently under a class-action lawsuit, both interiors are a cheap and ergonomic mess, my rental Fiesta's glovebox broke, the Focus ST I test drove had terrible build quality (rattling closed sunroof shade, uneven boost gauge attachment), EcoBoosts are notorious for their fuel consumption, and even a German-built Focus feels like a Corolla in comparison to a Volkswagen.

I agree. Everyone says "it's the gearing" but that sounds like a bad excuse. A little featherweight like this with nearly 200hp always shows 6.8-7.0 numbers. You would think low 6s considering power to weight ratio. I've driven the FiST and it feels quick but never fast.

"Nearly 200 HP" (197 to be specific) isn't a full 200 HP.

0 - 60 times aren't an overly accurate measure of a cars weight to horsepower (pounds per horsepower) ratio due to variations in track surface conditions and driver launch techniques.

Quarter Mile Trap speed using Hale's related formula is a much better standard.

This car traps at 94 MPH, which simply isn't "fast" by today's standards. The reported 6.9 second 0 - 60 time is fully in line with most modern vehicles trapping at that same speed.